Amaryllis belladonna Ludwig Dazzler

Amaryllis belladonna 'Ludwig Dazzler' is an elegant and graceful variety with large funnel-shaped flowers. They are white, with a greenish throat topped with delicate yellow stamens, enhanced by the thick and iridescent substance of the petals. Its bulb produces flower stalks bearing 3 to 4 spectacular flowers. They bloom before the foliage, from late August to October. It is a lovely way to bring a touch of sweetness and elegance to your autumn flower beds or borders in mild climates. Elsewhere, it can be grown in a pot and stored away at the first frost.

Native to South Africa, amaryllis belladonna is a frost-sensitive plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, commonly grown in pots in our latitudes. 'Ludwig Dazzler' is a superb horticultural variety with white flowers. When in full bloom, the plant forms a clump 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) tall and 30cm (12in) wide. It produces rounded flowers that appear before the foliage, 20cm (8in) wide, composed of 6 thick and fleshy tepals, which contribute to its longevity. They are pure white to ivory white, with a green-yellow centre, releasing a bouquet of long golden-yellow stamens. 3 to 4 flowers majestically tower above a large and thick hollow stem that are quickly followed by two others. Positioned back-to-back and nestled against each other, they form a unique composition. Amaryllis leaves are wide, strap-shaped, and medium green. They dry up and disappear when the plant enters its dormant phase, a few weeks after flowering.

Planting an Amaryllis is very rewarding: this very easy to grow and fast-growing flower is perennial in mild climates. The 'Ludwig Dazzler' variety does not need companions to highlight its obvious beauty. You can plant some autumn perennials such as dwarf asters or perennial geraniums such as 'Azure Rush' at its base, just to dress up its slightly rigid stems. Ideally, plant it in the sun, along the edge of a house, to fully enjoy its beauty and subtle fragrance. Cut the stem when the flowers wither to promote re-flowering. Native to South Africa, it is grown in open ground only in mild climates, in light, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil, in a sunny position sheltered from cold winds. It is ideal in a bed of perennials or late annuals. Elsewhere, it should be kept in a nice pot and stored away at the first signs of cold.

Do not confuse amaryllis belladonna with those of the hippeastrum family, named amaryllis due to a language misuse directly linked to an error made in the 18th century. It was Linnaeus himself who used it to name the American species. However, the name was already used for the South African species. Conventionally, the term amaryllis is used for both. To distinguish them, the mention of hippeastrum is added for the first one, and belladonna for the second. It must be said that both deserve this name: amaryllis means "sparkling" and, in classical Greek literature, the plant was the subject of a pastoral poem where the beautiful shepherdess Amaryllis dies of a love that will only be accessible to her after a terrible wound. From her blood will emerge beautiful bunches of red flowers. Since then, the term has been synonymous with haughty beauty.